When planning your first RV trip, you probably dreamed about exploring a mountain forest from your front door or waking up to crashing surf just outside your rig. But I’ll bet the last thing you ever considered was finding the best RV toilet paper before you hit the road. Are we right?
We’ve decided to flush out the competition, breaking down the good, the bad, and the ugly consequences of a poor TP choice. With our help, you should be able to select a worthy toilet paper and be on your way to an adventurous camping trip in no time!
Table of Contents
What Is RV Toilet Paper?
In essence, RV toilet paper is a special kind of paper that breaks down quickly in water.
While softness for your tush might be the number one factor when deciding which residential toilet paper to buy, that’s not the case with RV toilet paper. Tissue for RV toilets disintegrates quicker than some of the luxury Charmin or Quilted Northern brands you’re used to at home. Plumbing in a recreational vehicle is typically more fragile, so rapid disintegration is key.
➡ New to RV plumbing? Here’s what you need to know: How Does an RV Water System Work?
Because waste sits stationary in your RV black tank for a while, solids like toilet paper tend to clump. This can cause frustrating issues when flushing the tank at a dump station. The toilet paper can also collect on sensors, so you don’t know when your black tank is full.
Overall, toilet paper that breaks down quickly can alleviate serious problems while camping.
Do You Really Need a Special Toilet Paper for Your RV Toilet?
Yes. You want toilet paper that’s marked RV or septic-safe to ensure it deteriorates quickly enough in your holding tank. You might also choose one that’s biodegradable.
Note that most household papers are thicker and don’t break down as quickly as those made to dissolve in water after three to five minutes. However, a few regular brands seem to work in an RV restroom, as well. The best way to know if toilet paper is septic safe is to do a water test.
Take a tall, clear glass of water and one or two pieces of the toilet paper in question. Drop the paper into the water, and cover the top of the glass, shaking it a couple of times. Then, watch to see how fast it dissolves. You’ll know if it’s RV-safe in three to five minutes!
The Best RV Toilet Paper Brands
Comparing toilet paper is not something that anyone aspires to, but someone must do the dirty work. So we’ve got four brands of the best RV toilet paper for you to try. We’ll find one for you that will wipe out the competition!
Scott Rapid Dissolve
This one-ply option is highly touted as one of the best RV toilet papers. It breaks down quickly in the black tank, offering little resistance when it’s time to use a dump station.
Scott Rapid Dissolve is softer than many other papers made for RV use, and the only drawback is the price for a single four-pack, listed at $10. However, you should be able to find it available at a much lower price point in big box stores.
- Scott Rapid Dissolve Toilet Tissue (Pack of 4 rolls)
Thetford Aqua-Soft
It’s appropriate that a manufacturer of RV toilets has created its own brand of toilet paper, and we recommend it!
Thetford’s Aqua-Soft is a two-ply paper that disintegrates quickly and is much softer than most other RV toilet paper brands. It holds up better than one-ply toilet paper but doesn’t leave a problem in your black tank.
It, too, is rather expensive online but is easy to find in many local stores. The price on Amazon is $13 for a four-pack.
- MARINE LIFE
- Specially-made for RV and marine sanitation systems - the "Must...
- Tissue rapidly dissolves to prevent clogging in holding tanks
Firebelly Outfitters RV Toilet Paper
According to reviewers, this two-ply paper also dissolves quickly, and bucket tests have proven that to be true. It’s not quite as soft as the afore-mentioned Scott Rapid Dissolve, but users agree that Firebelly Outfitters’ RV toilet paper gets the job done and doesn’t stick around for too long in your holding tank.
The manufacturer also states that their paper has no dyes and is American-made. Yet, at $25 for an eight-pack, it’s a little pricey.
- BEST RV TOILET PAPER - 8 super soft rolls per pack, 500...
- FAST DISSOLVE TOILET PAPER - Our quick dissolve toilet paper is...
- RV SEWER TANK SAFE - Our septic tank safe rv marine toilet paper...
Better Boat Boat + RV Toilet Paper
With consistent five-star reviews, this toilet paper seems to be used in a lot of marine and RV bathrooms. Its two-ply thickness with a textured surface holds up well, and the paper is 100% biodegradable. There will be no piles of paper in your black tank with Better Boat toilet paper. It’s 10 rolls for $30, and most who have used it testify that it’s well worth the price!
- DISSOLVES QUICKLY & WON'T CLOG: Our septic safe toilet paper...
- BOAT, RV SUPPLIES & CAMP SEWER TANK SAFE: Take on your next...
- SOFT YET STRONG 2 PLY: Our premium biodegradable quick dissolve...
Which Toilet Paper Breaks Down the Fastest?
Several unofficial tests and reviews reveal that Scott’s one-ply Rapid Dissolve toilet paper lives up to its name. It’s also reportedly softer and stronger than its thickness suggests.
Another favorite is the two-ply Thetford Aqua Soft. Many say it compares to their home toilet paper while still breaking down quickly.
Choose Your RV TP Wisely
Like picking suitable quality fuel for your motorhome, selecting the best RV toilet paper can either make or break your camping trip. With the wrong selection of paper, you won’t be “going” anywhere! And emptying your tank could be a nightmare. Choose wisely, and you’ll have a much more enjoyable RV journey.
Even with the best toilet paper, RV toilet clogs happen occasionally. Learn how to solve the problem here: RV Nightmare: How to Unclog RV Toilet
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Read More From The Mortons:
Dalton
Wednesday 8th of December 2021
Freedom Living Septic Tank Safe Toilet Tissue is the best paper that we’ve found. It’s softer and feels thicker than other RV-friendly toilet paper. It dissolves quickly. It's quite a quality toilet paper; it doesn't mess up my RV.
Dalton
Monday 13th of December 2021
It is guaranteed to be septic tank safe, which means that you no longer have to deal with nasty and nauseating chemicals and cleaning solutions when using this product.
Samantha Nichols
Thursday 16th of September 2021
Scott TP changes the RV game in a big way. We spend a lot of time in our RV and this TP is the very best that we have ever used. And it's very soft and absorbent; I don't even recognize any difference.
Samantha Nichols
Saturday 25th of September 2021
Thanks so much for sharing! I love your article!
Jim
Sunday 1st of August 2021
The very best RV Toilet paper is the paper you put in a paper bag and throw in the trash! People in Mexico have been doing this for years because their septic systems won' handle paper.
This is also standard procedure for Marine folks. Many boats have a sign saying "Don't Put Anything in the Head that hasn't Already Been Chewed".
Also look up "The GEO Method" Your RV tank is not a septic system, it is only a temporary holding tank. This will save on chemicals and help everything slide out like magic! Been doing this for years and never any odors>